re: What tipped off The Godfather that it was Barzini

quote:

---

I would assume, the Don clearly knew someone besides Tataglia was behind all of it because of his regard for him, but it was not Until The meeting that Barzini somewhat showed his hand.

---

Barzini was the one who was most insistent when it came to Corleone accommodating the wish for police protection - and the quickest to declare that a deal had been struck at the slightest hint of capitulation by Corleone.

This meant that Barzini had the biggest stake in the flowering drug business and therefore the most to lose, especially if Corleone used his police as a way of keeping a drug family from becoming too powerful. Corleone sees at the meeting that most of the families are starting to become receptive to drugs, so he knows he has to give in. When he does, Barzini jumps on it and declares the deal sealed.

So no. He's not psychic. He just recognizes Barzini as the ringleader of all of the demands, IMO.